The work from home life has really changed the game for many people out there that were feeling burnout from commuting to a 9-5 or 8-6 job every day. I definitely see a lot of pros and cons to this new way of adapting to a ‘work from home’ lifestyle. The work life balance has always been challenging to navigate because trying to separate your personal time with time you spend focusing on work is hard.
The Upside to Working From Home
Let’s discuss a few positives of working from home. Sometimes going into an office building or even sitting in traffic can cause some anxiety for some. Being able to be in the comfort of your home may be something that leads to less stress levels before work. Another great positive is that you are potentially saving money. I say potentially because you could be saving on gas, eating out, grabbing your morning Starbucks etc., but you may be spending that saved money on the electric bill or more groceries to have in the house. Being at home is just a lot more enjoyable for some people and knowing you can sit for meetings in the comfort of your home is a blessing. You may be able to spend more time with your family and/or your pets which is something work in an office can take away from.
The Downside to Working From Home
Some of the negatives of this new lifestyle are the lack of social interaction you may be getting because you don’t have to go into the office. The isolation you can feel from not being in your normal routine and seeing your colleagues can feel lonely. There is also a strange feeling when we are suddenly out of our norm, but at the same time in the comfort of our home and it doesn’t feel as comforting. One of the negatives I personally felt was not having a reason to leave the house. Once people were able to go and do things, I found that I didn’t really know why I should leave the house during the week if I wasn’t going to work. This thought process created an isolating feeling later on that I felt a little stuck in my home. There is also the part where you now spend extra time staring at a computer or tablet or even your phone and now most of your communication is through a screen and not face to face.
Adapting to a ‘Work from home’ Lifestyle
I feel since the new adaptation of a work from home lifestyle more and more companies are enjoying this approach and sticking to it. I could assume most people do enjoy working from home, but I’m curious about the people who don’t have a comforting home to go to or have 1 or 2 other people working from home as well. It is a hard adjustment and I feel for those that the adjustment was not something they were ready for and are still navigating.
What I Have Learned from Working at Home
Being able to be in jobs where I was able to do remote work was a blessing and a curse. I was able to still get my work done and get the luxury of doing it from my couch or from my desk. But I often found myself more exhausted throughout the day because I felt I was sitting around more and not having as much stimulation as before. I also felt I was lacking on some self-care and basic things you do when going to work like not wearing sweats. Not saying wearing sweats is not amazing but I could slowly feel my motivation depleting because of the changes in my day to day and the changes in how I was presenting.
Looking back at it I feel it might have been important to make every other day a “get ready day”. I would have made Wednesdays a day that I got out of the house and went and got myself coffee. I may have implemented a walk before and after lunch to make sure I was moving. Hindsight is 20/20 and I know most people who work from home now and have adjusted and started making a routine that fits them. It can get a little isolating at times, but if you work at making the adjustment fit you hopefully it works to lower any stress that a remote job can bring.
If you are struggling to adjust to your new routine, whether you are feeling isolated or struggle with increased social anxiety and depression, please contact an Atlanta Therapist today.
